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I am very pleased to introduce an article by someone who has been major figure in the packing and crating field for many years. I'm not going to attempt to spell out the full extent of his experience, but suffice it to say that on the East coast if you didn't train with Rick Yamada then chances are that you trained under someone who did. In my case I did both!

When I first approached Rick about writing something for the website I had no idea what he might want to write about. When he told me his topic I couldn't have been more impressed. Like any master of a discipline the choice to focus on the fundamentals, the nuts and bolts as it were, demonstrates an important aspect of true professionalism.

The following equipment discussion is focused on the J-bar and other tools used for lifting crates in order to make them mobile via 4-wheel dollies or other means. A sister article Moving Crates with 4-wheel Dollies discusses dolly types and their placement under crates, while another Basics: Moving Crates with Pallet Jacks covers that multi-purpose tool.

Just as the design of crate interiors and interior containers can determine how the objects they contain are initially handled, there is a relationship between crate design and the tools and methods that will be used to move them.

ABOUT PALLET TRUCKS AND CRATE DESIGN

Stability and EfficiencyMaterials moved on pallets usually create a rough cube that will fit two-wide on most trucks and in containers. They effectively use the space and are not prone to tipping. When configuring crates that have multiple objects one recommended approach is to design them to have a broad footprint and a low center of gravity to enhance stability. This type of crate is a natural to be moved by pallet truck.

4-wheel dollies are standard issue equipment for moving crates, as well as just about anything else (display cases, materials, office furniture). Moving crates with good quality dollies and with safe and efficient methods is part of a foundation of good art handling practices. This article describes varieties of dolly types and construction features, and illustrates techniques of dolly placement under crates and crate moving fundamentals.
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These powerful commercial suction cups (Woods Powr-Grip model N5450) are an industry standard for lifting and positioning glass and plex vitrines. The image of the two pairs shown was sent in by LA Packing and Crating. They are shown as they should be - still in the cases they were purchased in. There is a kind of fanaticism on this point that in my view is well placed. It is not an uncommon policy to limit the contact of the suction cups surface to only whatever clean, flat surface they are being adhered to and then the original closed

I first bought a pair of these scissors while killing time in-between site visits near the old Talas location on Broadway right below Houston St. It seemed like a major outlay at the time (over $20) but Iíve got to say the very helpful staff there steered me well. Iíve used this particular tool under harsh conditions and yet it kept cutting like new. If you have ever tried to cut irregular shapes in Nomex with even slightly imperfect scissors you are familiar with the varmint